Closed Looped Cycle Products, part of the solution to a trash-free Potomac Watershed?

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1 Closed Looped Cycle Products, part of the solution to a trash-free Potomac Watershed? Trash Summit 2012, Silver Springs (MD), USA, November 07,

2 OAS: Background The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) is the premier forum for multilateral dialogue and concerted action in Latin America and the Caribbean. GS/OAS serves 34 member states of the hemisphere Representative Offices in most of its member states Department of Sustainable Development Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Section 2

3 Overarching Programmatic Goal: Increase productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) in the production sector of nations in the Americas via the application of the Closed Looped Cycle Production philosophy. Closed Looped Cycle Production in Ecuador: Introduce and showcase the viability and applicability of the C2C design method; Focus on the production sector of Ecuador; Introduce as an innovative business development tool; Improve energy efficiency and environmental performance; Increase the productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of businesses, in particular Small and Mediums size Enterprises (SMEs) 3

4 Component 4 Business Development (Assessing C2C applicability) Aiming to certify the first packaging product C2C-Silver in Latin America and the Caribbean. Securing government endorsement Multi-stakeholder meetings CLCP Technical Training workshops SME assessments Identified pilot host SME (Batery S.A.) Execute pilot C2C certification project 4

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6 Why are talking about Re-thinking? 6

7 Example: PV - Cradle to Grave Extraction Manufacturing & distribution Application & use Disposal Application of 4Rs 7

8 Need to Re-think manufacturing: The existing waste management hierarchy is not sufficient to reduce and address the waste generation and management problem We need to recognize the core problem and re-think the process of manufacturing of products by tackling the design of such products to guarantee closing the loop of these products after costumers satisfaction. 4Rs 5Rs 8

9 Re-thinking -> Cradle-to-Cradle design? Sustainable Production and Consumption Modern business jargon for Sustainable Manufacturing: Eco-effective design Cradle-to-Cradle design Industrial Ecology Product Stewardship SMART production Lean Manufacturing Green Business Corporate Social Responsibility Sustainable Consumption and Production Circular Economy Braungart & McDonough (2002) A call for the transformation of the manufacturing industry through the eco-intelligent design of products 9

10 Tackling the problem at the core: Biological cycle Technical Cycle 10

11 What are the benefits of C2C Certification? (1) Reduction of dependency and continuous extraction of increasingly scarce commodities, (2) Significantly lower energy and water requirements and GHG emissions for manufacturing processes; (3) Reduced solid waste, waste water generation and other environmental impacts; (4) Improved health and working environment; (5) Promote renewable energy use during product processing, and (6) Increased profits for SMEs through cost savings and enhanced marketability of products. 11

12 Integrating the 5Rs Sustainable Production and Consumption 12

13 Integrating the 5Rs We believe that a real solution to waste problems in the Americas arises from: (1) Re-thinking the way we go about designing and manufacturing products as the staring point of finding a structural solution to waste generation; and (2) The inclusion or integration of the sustainable production and consumption (SPC) values into National Integrated Waste Management Policies/Plans (IWMP). Recognizing SPC as the highest hierarchical goal in the Waste Management Hierarchy allows on a case-by-case situation assess the suitability of Redesigning (Re-think), Reducing, Re-using, Recycling, Recovery (Waste-to- Energy solutions) and Responsible disposal (sanitary landfills) as solution to address current, short-term or wastes already in place, while simultaneously and gradually transitioning towards Sustainable Production and Consumption in communities throughout the Americas. 13

14 Does this contribute to solving the trash problem in the Potomac Watershed? 14

15 Potomac Watershed General Facts The watershed covers an area of 14,760 square miles and encompasses 5 states Carrying about 2.6 trillion gallons annually To maintain the integrity of the watershed ecosystems and where 6.1million people (of which 81% living in urban areas) are dependent on it as a source for drinking water, recreation, and use in productive activities. (source: ICPRB) 15

16 Indicators of pollution Waste Water as Primary Source of Pollution: Swimming is not an approved activity in the waters of the Potomac and Anacostia in the District of Columbia Type of pollutants include effluent from wastewater treatment plants, personal care products, pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications, agricultural pollution, animal feedlots, industrial byproducts, and biosolids. And EPA reviews anywhere from 1,500-3,000 new chemicals annually-- many of which enter Potomac waterways, undetected by wastewater treatment plants. (source: Potomac Conservancy) 16

17 Major industries The basin's major industries include: Agriculture and forestry throughout the basin (upstream) Coal mining and pulp and paper production (upstream) Chemical production and agriculture in the Shenandoah valley (upstream) High-tech, service, and light industry, as well as military and government installations in the Washington Metropolitan area; and Fishing in the lower Potomac estuary (downstream) (source: ICPRB) 17

18 Area with highest pollution potential DC Metropolitan Area: About 5.4 million people live in the DC metropolitan area (about 75% of total watershed population) High urban population density with the highest concentration of products consumption, light industrial and manufacturing activities in the Potomac watershed The area representing the highest potential source for pollution in the form of waste water and trash (plastics, metals, paper, etc.) 18

19 Market based solutions Trash Free Potomac Facility Program: The objective is to create an economic incentive for waste reduction and instill a waste responsible behavior in residents of the Potomac watershed (source: AFF). 19

20 Recommendation #1 Assess, Adapt, and Endorse the 5R methodological framework and formally adopt this in state policies for the Potomac Watershed protection Sustainable Production and Consumption 5Rs 20

21 Recommendation #2 Introduce ( Cradle ) the C2C concept in other sectors, economic activities, and among the Potomac Watershed business community

22 Recommendation #3 Promote Green Procurement Market based approach to achieve Economic, Social and Environmental integration Increases profits, enhances business image and grow the business Improves human health and increase productivity Prevent pollution and waste water production C2C Certified Products

23 Closed Looped Cycle Production and Consumption: MUCHAS GRACIAS THANK YOU VERY MUCH MERCI BEAUCOUP MUITO OBRIGADO A systematic and integrated approach to solving waste problems 23

24 THANK YOU ing. Kevin de Cuba, MSc. Program Manager, Closed Looped Cycle Production in the Americas T: E: Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Department of Sustainable Development - DSD Executive Secretariat for Integral Development - SEDI Organization of American States 1889 F St. N.W. Washington, D.C , USA T F

25 MEARSK C2C Program 100% RECYCLABLE & RE-USEABLE